BTS star Jung Kook doesn’t want to repeat himself when it comes to making new music.
The K-pop idol made his solo debut with the hit Seven featuring Latto in 2023, which smashed multiple chart and streaming records. It debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, the Global 200, and the Global Excl. U.S. charts, making him the first Korean solo artist to do so. Seven also became the fastest song in history to surpass 1 billion streams on Spotify. His follow-up single 3D, featuring Jack Harlow, debuted at number five on both the Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart, making Jung Kook the first South Korean solo artist to achieve two consecutive top-five entries on the latter.
He released his debut solo album Golden in November 2023, which entered music charts in 25 countries, including number two on the US Billboard 200 chart and number three on the Official UK Albums Chart.
Regarding his next work, he told the February/March 2026 edition of Rolling Stone UK – of which he is the cover star – that: “This is a time where I can evaluate whether I can take another leap forward. Rather than doing the same kind of performances or similar songs repeatedly, I’m trying new things and continuing to evolve so I can show different sides of myself.”
The 28-year-old South Korean star explained that his ultimate goal is to become “an artist without limits”.
He said: “I’ve always pursued change. I want to be an artist who doesn’t get dragged by the flow, but creates the flow. I don’t want to be confined – I want to be an artist without limits.”
Jung Kook also reflected on how his solo career felt like a “hassle” before Seven turned it all around.
He admitted: “Everything felt like a hassle, [Then] ‘Seven’ made me want to get back to it. I really loved ‘Seven’ and felt confident performing it, but I was still surprised by how well it was received. That reaction gave me even more confidence.”
Read the full interview in the February/March issue of Rolling Stone UK and via www.rollingstone.co.uk.